September 11, 2021| Parashat Vayeilech - Shabbat Shuva | 5 Tishrei, 5782
Candlelighting: 7:13 pm | Havdalah: 8:12 pm
Shabbat/High Holiday Service Livestream: Beth-Jacob.org/YouTube
Weekday Service Zoom: Beth-Jacob.org/Minyan
Children's Programming This Week
Out of an abundance of caution, we are moving Minyan Katan to Zoom this Shabbat. Minyan Katan will take place at 9:30 am, and the link to participate is Beth-Jacob.org/MK.

There is no other children's programming this week. Iyunim and Kehilat Shabbat begin next week, Sept. 18th!
High Holidays at Beth Jacob
Shofar
Yom Kippur:
Wednesday Evening, Sep. 15 - Thursday, Sep. 16

  • To see the High Holiday mailing from Beth Jacob (schedule of services, candle lighting and havdalah times, and ways to participate) go to Beth-Jacob.org/HHinfo.
  • For ritual guidance, view our home observance guide at Beth-Jacob.org/Guide.
  • For the High Holy Day web page, go to Beth-Jacob.org/HHD.

High Holiday Services, like Shabbat services, will be both in-person as well as livestreamed at Beth-Jacob.org/YouTube. To borrow a machzor, go to Beth-Jacob.org/Machzor. For an online version go to Beth-Jacob.org/SiddurLink.

COVID Precautions: EVERYONE who is eligible needs to be vaccinated to attend, inside or outside. Proof of vaccination will be required for everyone over the age of 12 to enter the building, consisting of either:

  • Uploading proof of vaccination: We are re-opening the proof of vaccination form until Monday, September 13th at 11 pm.
  • Bringing your vaccine card to services. (If you have not already uploaded it to be added to our list).

Masks will be required for everyone inside the shul and outside under the tents. We will continue to assess the current situation right up until the holidays and will notify the congregation of any changes in COVID protocols as decisions are made.
Latest info: Beth-Jacob.org/COVID.

Sign up or get more info about the following at the links below:
Lizkor & Kever Avot Services Sunday
Sunday, September 12
10 am: Lizkor - A Service of Comfort & Memories
11 am: Kever Avot Service

This year, as we recall the memories of loved ones during Kever Avot (the custom of visiting the cemetery before Yom Kippur), we are holding a special "LIZKOR" service just for families who have lost a loved one during this past year.
Learning on Yom Kippur
4 pm Thursday, September 16

On Yom Kippur, before the Neilah service, join Rabbi Yosi Gordon as he teaches on the topic: “Ve-tikhtov et g’zar dinam/You inscribe their final judgment: Does God Reward and Punish?”
Rabbi Rubin Installation Weekend
Join us as we celebrate the installation of Senior Rabbi Adam Rubin!

Saturday, Sept 25:

Sunday Sept. 26
  • 10 am Installation Ceremony*
  • 11 am Brunch

*The installation and brunch will take place under a tent outside.
Masks are required for the installation portion of the morning.
Climate Corner
From BJC’s Climate Change Initiative Group

Did you know? On Rosh Hashanah, Rabbi Rubin, during his sermon, offered Beth Jacob Congregation a climate change challenge (or how about a Climate Change Covenant) for the Shmitah year: to pledge to take a step to help climate change.

Chinese philosopher and writer Lao Tzu once said: "The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step." Here is a first step: Eating foods lower on the food chain, minimally processed, and composting what is left can be one of the most impactful personal changes you can make to decrease your carbon footprint. Here is the takeaway: eat less meat. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (in the June 2021 "AARP Bulletin” article: ‘Climate Change and You’) states "U.S. livestock cattle are responsible for 3.9 % of domestic greenhouse gas emissions". In the same article, researchers also state that cutting back to three servings per week (of meat) could reduce one's greenhouse gas footprint by over 500 pounds annually - the equivalent of driving 600 miles!" Want to get started? Here's an excellent resource from the Center for Nutrition Studies for helping the planet by adding more Whole Food Plant-Based Foods onto your table.

What do you think? Could this be a step you take as part of the Shmita challenge?

To learn more, and to be a part of the solution go to Beth-Jacob.org/Climate.
Quick Links


Service Schedule
  • Daily minyan: 7:15 am weekdays, 7 am on Rosh Chodesh; 8:30 am Sun. & Holidays. Morning minyan is currently meeting in person AND on Zoom every day at Beth-Jacob.org/Minyan.

  • Shabbat Morning Service: 9 am Saturdays; In-person, and streaming here: YouTube Livestream.
Education
Ongoing Adult Classes
Just show up or click the Zoom link at class time to join.

New fall classes starting in October!

MONDAYS:
  • Noon: The Rest Is Commentary - Now Go and Learn It; with Rabbi Adam Rubin. The weekly Torah portion through the lens of classic interpretation. At Beth Jacob and on Zoom at Beth-Jacob.org/commentary.

  • 7:30 pm: Prepare My Prayer Before You; with Rabbi Adam Rubin. Explore the siddur to find meaning, inspiration, and spiritual sustenance. At Beth Jacob and on Zoom at Beth-Jacob.org/prayer

WEDNESDAYS:
  • Around 8 am: Morning Mishnah; with Rabbi Tamar. The Mishnah is an edited record of the complex body of halachic material transmitted in the aftermath of the destruction of the Second Temple. Its intention was to train the sages in thinking through the legal issues that inform Halacha. In encountering these texts together, we gain access to the conversations out of which developed the foundational principles that shaped Jewish law as we know it today. At Beth Jacob and on Zoom at Beth-Jacob.org/Mishnah (or just stay on Zoom after Morning Minyan).

THURSDAYS:
  • 11 am: The Life and Works of Abraham Joshua Heschel; with Rabbi Tamar. Brilliant, complex, and inspiring both as a teacher of Torah and an activist, we will spend the year trying to better understand Heschel's life and legacy. We'll begin with Shai Held's book: Abraham Joshua Heschel: the Call of Transcendence. At Beth Jacob, and on Zoom by request.
  • 6:30-7:45 pm: Adult Beginning Hebrew Class; with Steve Greenberg. This class is for people who want to learn to read (decode) Hebrew and understand some of the basic words in blessings and prayers. We will use the book: Learn Hebrew Today. At Beth Jacob and on Zoom at Beth-Jacob.org/SteveHebrew. To register for the class email Steve Greenberg at sigminn@gmail.com.

SATURDAYS:
  • 9:15-10:00 am, 1st and 3rd Saturdays: For the Jew in the Pew; with Rabbi Lynn Liberman. Welcome back to Shabbat Morning Study! Our siddur is filled with words of prayer, with some of the oldest of these found in Tehilim—the Book of Psalms! We will explore the Psalms that are widely used throughout the Shabbat service, considering their meaning and exploring why and how these words are still a part of our liturgy today. No prior experience needed, texts are provided in Hebrew and English!

IF THERE'S SUFFICIENT INTEREST:
  • On One Foot: an Introduction to Judaism With Rabbi Rubin & Rabbi Tamar. Judaism is not just a religion or a culture or people, or even a way of living in the world – it is a world unto itself, encompassing ancient and newer rituals, complex ideas, and thousands of years of history. If you’ve been curious about Jewish learning but didn’t know where to start, this class is for you! The class will be offered starting this fall only if there is sufficient interest. Please go to Beth-Jacob.org/intro for more info or to register your interest in the class.
Community
Highlights:

  • September 17, 10 am - 5 pm: Red Cross Blood Drive at the Holy Family Maronite Catholic Church across Lexington from Mendota Heights City Hall (1960 Lexington Ave S.), run by Knights of Columbus: Sign up here.

  • The Jewish Artists' Laboratory - Brokenness & Wholeness: A virtual exhibition inspired by a year unlike any other - living with brokenness and seeking wholeness. The Jewish Artists' Laboratory brings together a diverse group of artists who have an interest in the relationship between Jewish thought and creativity. Each artist partnered with someone of a younger generation, expanding their learning and creativity. Brokenness & Wholeness is the product of an emotional year in search of inner peace. View exhibition

  • The Amos and Celia Heilicher Minneapolis Jewish Day School is seeking part-time Hebrew and Middle School Jewish Studies Teachers for the 2021-2022 academic year. For more information or to apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to Dr. David Ackerman, Director of Jewish Living and Learning, at dackerman@hmjds.org.

Classes:

  • Monday, September 13, 1–2:30 pm CT: Atonement: An Interplay Between the Individual and the Community - A High Holiday Webinar with Rabbi Gordon Tucker, Vice-Chancellor for Religious Life and Engagement, JTS. A central feature of Yom Kippur is the act of atonement, or “at-one-ment.” But with whom should we seek to be "at one"? With God, with Israel, or with ourselves? Explore both the individual and collective aspects of this holy day, with special attention to Unetaneh Tokef, the Yom Kippur confession, and other liturgical features of the season. There is NO CHARGE! Register here.

  • Monday, September 13, 12-1 pm: Dangerous Attractions: German-Jewish Literature and the Taboo of Mixed-Sex Dancing, Presented by Sonia Gollance (University College London) on Zoom. Dances and balls appear throughout world literature as venues for young people to meet, flirt, and form relationships. In the context of nineteenth- and twentieth-century Jewish culture, dance offers crucial insights into debates about emancipation and acculturation. While traditional Jewish law prohibits men and women from dancing together, Jewish mixed-sex dancing was understood as the very sign of modernity--and the ultimate boundary transgression. Register here.




For Kids and Families:




Resources & Miscellaneous:



  • JFS Services, including Community Support Program, Connection to Community Resources, Counseling & Mental Health Services and more!


  • Jewish Genetic Disease Screening It's important that anyone of Jewish heritage know whether they're at risk of having a child with a serious or possibly fatal disease, preferably before they become pregnant.